The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Couvile family name to the British Isles. They lived in Yorkshire. The family was originally from Chauvel in Manche, Normandy, and it is to their residence in this area that the name refers.

Early Origins of the Couvile family

The surname Couvile was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Couvile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Couvile research.Another 147 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1638, 1722, 1688 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Couvile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couvile Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Covell, Covel and others.

Early Notables of the Couvile family (pre 1700)

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Couvile Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Couvile family to the New World and Oceana

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Couvile or a variant listed above: Ezra Covell who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635 with his brother Joseph; Nicholas Covell settled in Virginia in 1648; Cesara Covell settled in New England in 1635.